Ways Done in the Past - Learn typing

An antique manual typewriter manufactured by Reminington Typewriter Company. Its manual commercial typewriter was first manufactured in 1873.

From their invention in 1868 through much of the 20th century, typewriters were indispensable tools for recording the written word.

Widely used by professional writers and in offices for decades, by the end of the 1980s, electronic typewriters, word processors and personal computers largely displaced typewriters. The manual and electronic typewriters today are not obsolete though.

So please do not throw away the dated manual working typewriters away if the ink ribbons are available in the market. In case the computer is down and you need to type an urgent letter to send, the old typewriter comes in useful. It doesn't mean that old stuff are useless which some people thought.

Without learning to type, a common typing with "hunt and peck" (two-fingered typing), also known as search and peck, in which the typist must find and press each key individually. This is usually slower than touch typing. Instead of relying on the memorized position of keys, the typist must find each key by sight. Use of this method may also prevent the typist from being able to see what has been typed without glancing away from the keys. Although good accuracy may be achieved, any typing errors that are made may not be noticed immediately, if at all. There is also the disadvantage that because fewer fingers are used, they are forced to move a much greater distance.

Typing lessons will guide us through locating and memorizing the letters and numbers on the keyboard and numeric keypad step by step. Everyone of all ages, experiences and abilities to learn timed typing and keyboard shortcuts.

Nowadays, learning tutor lessons are available online with free typing lessons with games to have fun while mastering the keyboard as well as refining our accuracy and speed skills. We will be able to confidently type all the letters, numbers and the most common symbols, with proper ten-finger touch typing technique.

When I attended Outram Secondary School in 1962, it was the only government commercial school in Singapore.

Students were taught how to learn typing and sat for London Chamber of Commerce examinations and later, Cambridge School Certificate examinations with typewriting as a compulsory commercial subject in Outram Secondary School.

In my schooldays when manual portable typewriters to practice at home were not affordable, most of the students use the key guide card which was provided with the typing lesson textbook.

There were a few private schools in Singapore, evening classes under the Adult Education Board and various community centers conducted classes to learn typing.

 Chung Hwa Accountancy School students learning typing class in 1953.

An evening class learning typing in 1954.

Typing class at the Malay Craft Centre, Geylang in 1962.

A typing pool department of an office in 1955.

After 45 years of unfailing and dependable service in 1976, the 63-year-old typewriter was being 'laid to rest' by Mr Koh Hun Wie, a pensioner, the antique machine was given to a typewriter manufacturing firm, Corona Manufacturers Ltd as a company museum.

Visually handicapped children to learn typing in 1973.

In 1976, eighteen-year old physically disabled, Owyong Kwang Ngee, need no longer cry with frustration with his slurred speech was understood by no one. With the aid of this head-gear, Owyong was at least able to express his thoughts and feelings on paper. Owyong, who cannot use his hands as he had no muscular control from his neck downwards, was able to type with the leather head-gear strapped round his head. By moving his head, Owyong could pack at his electric typewriter with the aid of a long iron rod which was attached to the head-gear.

Many ways for everyone to learn typing now and in the past for learning in school, at work and play.

The photos posted on this blog with thanks and acknowledgement to National Archives of Singapore (NAS).